Q&A with Nick Borenstein
A conversation with Nick Borenstein, the NYC-based filmmaker behind ‘99’.
When you decided to make this short film, where did you start?
I guess you could say the development of 99 started when I was born. The film is inspired by the real relationship between my mother and I and for as long as I can remember, she has been obsessed with 99 cent stores. With that in mind, a short film felt like a rich opportunity to portray this intimate dynamic and set it against the bizarre backdrop of that environment.
I loved the ability to contrast the bright, bold colors of the store with the darker subject matter of the film.
What kind of hurdles do you face as a filmmaker working in short film?
I love short films. It’s an exciting challenge to tell a compelling, full story in a short amount of time. With shorts, you don’t have the luxury of time to develop a character and a world, you have to set the scene immediately.
I wanted the world of 99 to resonate immediately. Family dynamics are universal and while they can be very rewarding, they can also be very challenging. Sometimes you only need 5 minutes to show those complex relationships.
What projects are you working on next, and how can people who are interested best support or share that work?
I just finished another short film which I’ll be releasing next year after its festival run. While it’s quite different than 99 and Sweater, you’ll find all three films have a similar darkly comedic yet joyful tone.
Additionally, I’m writing my first feature film which I hope to direct and star in 2020. For those interested in supporting and sharing my work, I love you, and please do! I make films for others to enjoy and engage with - it’d be a dream for folks to share these films. Also, follow my IG for updates on upcoming projects. If nothing else, you can follow my never-ending search for the best Spice Girls merchandise.
